Hicks Block hits the auction block

On March 20, the Hicks Block, 600 S.W. 6th, a 117-year-old building that was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1977, will be auctioned off if the price is right.

Elhanan Hicks erected the seven row houses in 1888-89 for $50,000, which he borrowed, according to The Topeka Capital-Journal archives.

Then came a real estate depression, and Hicks lost the property. Each three-story (plus basement) row house was sold separately.

By the 1960s, Marjorie Dove, who was born at 525 S.W. Tyler, a row house within the Hicks Block, and her mother owned all of the row houses, each of which had been divided into four apartments.

Thad Allton/The Capital-Journal

Hicks Block went up on the corner of S.W. 6th and Tyler in the 1880s.

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"The apartments are kept up and are livable," Dove said in a 1977 interview with The Capital-Journal, "but if anyone wants luxuries, these aren't for them. There are lots of luxury apartments in Topeka, some with frequent vacancies. I seldom have a vacancy, and often, there are people waiting for mine because the rent is so reasonable."

Rent used to be $70 to $90 a month. After Dove died last year, Topekan John Clinkenbeard purchased the property and raised the rents to an average of $300. The occupancy decreased from more than 20 tenants to nine.

Clinkenbeard, who has other rental properties, said he is at a point in his life when he wants to liquidate some assets. Another of his properties, 1009 S.E. 6th, will be auctioned off the same day as Hicks Block.

"Hicks Block has been part of Topeka's history since 1888," Clinkenbeard said. "It was here before I was, and it'll be here long after I'm gone.

"I'm still involved. I still care about the property. It's more than a structure. It's part of Topeka's past."

Thad Allton/The Capital-Journal

John Clinkenbeard, who bought the property last year, is selling the apartments. They originally were row houses.

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It's the history behind the building that has drawn residents such as Lambert and Janice Craft.

"It's the most handsome building in town," Lambert said. "I like the character and its architecture. It's one of a kind. I like living downtown. When I first moved to Topeka, I worked for the city, so I could walk to work."

Convenience was key for Craft, too, who moved to Hicks Block in October 2004.

"It's 0.9 miles to work," she said. "The sun pours in those south-facing windows all afternoon. The stained glass, the woodwork around the fireplace ... "

AUCTION

History: Hicks Block consists of 28 apartments, with three or four rooms. The basement, first- and second-floor units have ornate, nonoperative fireplaces, which are used as receptacles for gas heaters, the only heat source for the units. Stained glass windows, ornate trim, crown molding and some of the old fixtures remain. Nine units are occupied with an average monthly rent of $300.

Claim to fame: Aspiring writer and playwright Will Gibson and artist Mary Huntoon lived at Hicks Block, according to The Topeka Capital-Journal archives.

Auction: 2 p.m., March 20, reserve auction, which means the seller will decide if the bid is high enough to continue with the auction.

Taxes: $2,566.17

2004 assessed valuation by Shawnee County appraiser: $154,000

Open house dates: 1:30 to 3 p.m. today and March 13

Despite all of the charm the building has to offer, Craft said, "It's a tough place to live" at times. Sometimes, as she's watching television in her front room, she said tiny particles from the ceiling fall around her. Plus, her bathroom gives her little room in which to move around.

While the apartments have gas heaters in the front rooms, the apartments can be chilly, Craft said. Many residents, such as Craft, rely on space heaters to warm other rooms.

But she enjoys the courtyard in the back, where she takes her dog every morning. She said her apartment, which Clinkenbeard painted a cheery yellow, is relatively quiet.

"They just don't make places like this any more," said Craft, who is looking for a house to buy.

"The Hicks Block appeals to different people because of the historic value of the property," he said. "We hope someone will be willing to spend a little money and spend a little time and put back some of the ambience of the structure."

Clinkenbeard would like to see someone purchase the property and turn it back into row houses.

Lambert isn't sure what he'll do. Whatever happens, he is happy to call it home for at least another few weeks.

"I'm not going to worry about it," he said. "It's kind of sad. That's the way I feel about this. I like living here. In spite of the noise around it, it's a quiet, comfortable place to live."

Ann Marie Bush can be reached at (785) 295-1207 or ann.bush@cjonline.com.